WORT 89.9FM Madison
WORT 89.9FM Madison
Listener-sponsored, volunteer-powered, noncommercial community radio broadcasting to south-central Wisconsin at 89.9 FM and online at wortfm.org via our studios in Madison. We provide an outlet for communication, education, free expression, entertainment, training and access for the purpose of sharing music, information, news, and cultural experiences, and strive to give people underrepresented elsewhere in traditional media a voice. NOTE: Most of the content posted at this time are news stories or talk shows. MUSICIANS: We NEVER look on our SoundCloud for music submissions, so it's not a very efficient way to contact us. Please go to www.wortfm.org and click...
Episodes
A Clockwork Universe: Unified Rotating Universe Theory
A Clockwork Universe: Unified Rotating Universe Theory by WORT 89.9FM Madison
Celebrating Wisconsin Bat Week
Bats aren’t birds. But that doesn’t stop the Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance from teaming up with the UW Bat Brigade to bring you some events to honor or flying furry friends for Bat Week. We’ll talk with Brenna Marsicek and Makeela Mogoloma.
Democrat JoCasta Zamarripa Seeks Secretary of State Position
The Monday Buzz continues its coverage of the race for Wisconsin Secretary of State. This week, we talk with Democratic Party candidate JoCasta Zamarripa.
10-20-2026 US Sec of Ag Rollins says Dairy never looked so bright
The US Secretary of AG, Brooke Rollins attended the World Dairy Expo in Madison and declared, “Dairy never looked so bright”. With the prices of butter and cheddar being so low, the farmers are being hit and consumers are paying more for the final product. Along with the price of diesel rising, Pete and Bert are trying to see how her statement could be true.
Bucky Wanko & Dan Grabois interview
Hejira world music radio show host Jeff Spitzer-Resnick interview with Bucky Wanko and Dan Grabois
09.14 Legal Brief
09.14 Legal Brief by WORT 89.9FM Madison
09.17 Legal Brief
09.17 Legal Brief by WORT 89.9FM Madison
10.01 Legal Brief
10.01 Legal Brief by WORT 89.9FM Madison
10.15 Legal Brief
10.15 Legal Brief by WORT 89.9FM Madison
Bucket of Bribes
This week on Mel & Floyd: Mel reviews a movie from 1964 leading to a history lesson from ‘Pants; Smarty pants reveals his doodles of choice; Katie Zacharia sets a new record; Musk attempting to buy another election; Bipartisan opposition to Russian diesel deal; And other random topics; Notice something missing? For the complete Mel and Floyd Experience, buy the CD “The Very Best of James Brown” and play it on your Hi-Fi while listening to this podcast! Or listen live at 89.9 FM or wortfm.org/listen-live/ every Friday from 1 to 2 PM Central Time. Photo courtesy From Marwool on Unsplash
Matthew Gwyther 10162026
Journalist Matthew Gwyther on his Washington Post essay tracing Trump’s love of sycophancy back to the Garden of Eden.
Shane O’Neill 10162026
Shane O’Neill on launching “Life Hax,” his new advice podcast with Washington Post columnist Carolyn Hax.
Matthew Gwyther 10162026
Journalist Matthew Gwyther on his Washington Post essay tracing Trump’s love of sycophancy back to the Garden of Eden.
Federal Funding Could End for Early Childhood Education Degrees
Early Childhood Educators are already working at poverty level, what happens if their degree is no longer federally funded? Photo courtesy of Project Manhattan via Wikimedia Commons
How MMSD renamed three elementary schools at once
Prompted by concerns over their former namesakes, three Madison elementary schools were recently rechristened to honor a trio of local heroes. The change happened just in time for the new school year, after countless hours of research and community input. Image courtesy: Chali Pittman / WORT News.
Boldly Go Beyond with Marc Chiu
Boldly Go Beyond with Marc Chiu by WORT 89.9FM Madison
Forecast from Wednesday 10-14-26
Forecast from Wednesday 10-14-26 by WORT 89.9FM Madison
Major thoroughfares see major changes under Vision Zero
Madison’s Vision Zero initiative has been steadily approaching its goal of eliminating traffic fatalities on city-controlled streets by 2035. In a press release put out by the city on Monday, the project celebrated significant progress on bike infrastructure and increased pedestrian safety, as it revitalizes major thoroughfares to benefit all forms of travel. Image courtesy: Nate Carlin / WORT News.
Metro Transit seeks solution to fare evasion
Madison’s Metro Transit system, which has seen significant city investment over the past few years, presented their proposed operating budget to the Finance Committee Tuesday evening. Amid concerns over revenue shortfalls, the discussion eventually turned to fare evasion and efforts to reduce altercations on city buses. Image courtesy: Faye Parks / WORT News.
Cardinal Call: “Abortion is Anti-Woman" Tour Hosted in Madison by Students for Life Organization
This week host Lola Rohl speaks with Daily Cardinal Staff Writer Britta Sevcik about her story, “Students for Life: UW-Madison invites community members to “prove them wrong”, in a conversation of the communities' reception of this event and its goals to shift pro-choice views through prompted debate. Articles in this week’s “campus news in brief” segment: "Ian Rosenberg, Law School Dean Dan Tokaji discuss the media’s impact on democracy" Madeltn Rybak "‘We’re one news article away from being Cornell’: UW-Madison faculty raise concerns about sexual assault culture, reporting at first fall senate meeting" Sonia Bendre "Wisconsin Union debuts purple terrace chairs for domestic violence awareness" Maia Weissman
Madison Clerks Discuss Voting Integrity in the Upcoming Election
Ali Muldrow speaks with City and County Clerks about election integrity, early voting, absentee ballots, and on-campus voting. Photo courtesy of Aine via Flickr
buzz-10-14-26-Allen-Hester
The National Defense Authorization Act provides a template for allocating and authorizing the budget for the Defense Department, and, according to Allen Hester who leads the Nuclear Disarmament and Pentagon Spending portfolio from the Friends Committee on National Legislation. For the first time, this Act, with a budget proposal of $1.15 Trillion has passed the House on party lines, rather than bi-partisan, and includes an increase of $250 Million over the last budget. It appears to be stalled in the Senate, where Democratic senators fear approving the increase could signal approval of Trump's war with Iran.
A closer look at Wisconsin’s three ballot questions
Three constitutional amendments are set to appear on the November ballot. Still haven’t decided how you’ll vote? A new explainer from UW Law School’s State Democracy Research Initiative describes the legal arguments for and against each of the amendments. Bree Grossi Wilde, the Initiative's executive director, puts these ballot questions into context and explains what exactly they would change in an interview with WORT News Producer Faye Parks. Image courtesy: Brian Standing / WORT News.
Madison’s interim police monitor seeks hefty budget increase
City of Madison finance leaders begin deliberations Monday on next year’s operating budget, with presentations from several city agencies. Aeiramique Glass, the city’s interim independent police monitor, explained why her office’s budget should nearly double in 2027 – a request that didn’t make the cut in the mayor’s executive proposal. Image courtesy: Brian Standing / WORT News.
The Richland Center-Santa Teresa Sister City Project is Going Strong
It all began in 1987 when during the Contra war in Nicaragua, a small group of concerned citizens of Richland Center, Wisconsin contacted the Nicaraguan Embassy in Washington, D.C. with a request to establish a sister city relationship with a town in Nicaragua. The result was the Richland Center-Santa Teresa Sister City Project or SCP, focused on friendship, information and aid. At first it was only helping with necessities and support to the municipality of Santa Teresa but in 1997, the Wisconsin group received a letter from the Santa Teresa mayor. The letter requested help in protecting sea turtles and aiding the people of the remote, “poorest-of-the-poor” villages of the Chacocente Wildlife Refuge on the Pacific coast where olive ridley sea turtles lay their eggs. Since then the SCP has focused its efforts in and around Chacocente and has made a significant difference in the lives of people and wildlife living there as well as building a relationship that sustains both communities. We like to talk to the people from the Richland Center part of the project every year to see what this very interesting and productive collaboration has brought and it is always inspiring. Along with their partners in the Chacocente Refuge they have projects in agriculture, education, environment, health, migratory bird and sea turtle education and conservation and women’s entrepreneurship, all making positive progress. Because this was a fundraising show, our conversation was limited but we covered some of the most interesting developments in the past year and you can read about more in the SCP newsletters available on their website and on social media. Richland Center-Santa Teresa Sister City Project webpage: https://www.santa-teresa.org/ RC-ST SCP Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068424941432
Jenna Jacobson touts public service mindset
Jenna Jacobson, a Democrat who currently represents Wisconsin’s 50th Assembly District, is challenging Republican incumbent Howard Marklein this fall for the 17th Senate District seat. Voters in rural southwestern Wisconsin will elect their next state senator on November 3rd. Jacobson told our News Producer Faye Parks last week that her vision for Wisconsin’s future includes strong public education and thriving family farms. Image courtesy: Jenna Jacobson via Facebook.
Wisconsin Native Vote says it’s fashionable to vote
Wisconsin Native Vote is hosting “Native Vote: Fashion in Action,” an event that will feature six Native Wisconsin-based designers who each have to include at least one design that melds indigenous regalia with the themes of civic engagement, voting, and cultural responsibility. Her Turn reporter Arlene Zaucha talks with Anne Eagan-Waukau, from the Menominee tribe, organizer for Wisconsin Native Vote, about the event. If you want to see what the designers come up with, the event will take place on Friday, Oct. 30th, from 6 to 9 p.m at Marquette University’s Alumni Memorial Union, 1442 W. Wisconsin Avenue in Milwaukee. It is being hosted in partnership with Jennifer Benally of Shinymoon Creations. and Marquette University. There will also be an opportunity to talk with folks from Native Vote about polling locations, what’s on the ballot, and other important voting information for the upcoming election. To find out more, you can check out their website at conservation voices.org Image Courtesy of Wisconsin Native Vote
Tom Tiffany’s appearance in Madison draws protesters
Madison residents took to the streets on Wednesday to protest gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany at a speaking event on the UW-Madison campus. The Republican representative fielded questions from students at Grainger Hall, on the corner of University Avenue and Park Street, while protesters outside the windows chanted, “Who’s for sale? Tom Tiffany!” and hoisted a leering puppet resembling the candidate. Tiffany’s campaign finances took center stage, with protesters displaying large “For Sale” signs and distributing informational flyers. Tiffany has received more than $24 million dollars in campaign donations from the Republican Party of Wisconsin, most of which has come from prominent billionaires Diane Hendricks as well as Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein. This funding has been primarily spent on a slew of television and online advertisements. Tiffany has relied heavily on these advertisements ahead of the November election and has declined all but one invitation to debate Democratic candidate David Crowley. WORT News reporter isabel konty spoke to folks on the scene to hear their reasons for protesting, and what they hope to see in November. Image courtesy: isabel konty / WORT News.
Madison Mixology: Death in the Afternoon
This week on “Madison Mixology,” we learn more about Ernest Hemingway and his connections to famous cocktails. Feature contributor Charlie Belawski will teach us about “Death in the Afternoon,” and give us insight into Absinthe emulsification.
Fermats Theater Presents the Partriot: The Double Life of a Vietnam Spy
The interview examines the double life of Pham Xuan An, a Vietnam War spy who loved America, but loved Vietnam more.
Happy Birthday Joyce Ladner
Today, Oct 12, is the 83rd birthday of Joyce Ladner, SNCC organizer, life long civil rights activist, author and academic. Harry Richardson has her story so far.
Plastic has Always Been Supply Pushed, Not Demand Pulled
Author Beth Gardiner discusses how the plastic industry shifted the guilt from the producer to the consumer.
Building Our Sustainable Shared World with Dr. Alhaji N'jai
Dr. Alhaji N'jai has been such a good source of information about Africa for WORT listeners, from his DJ days on PanAfrica when he took us on trips around Africa by playing music from all the countries. Then there were his early days of talking about and involving us in creating Project 1808 that introduced students in his hometown to STEM and Leadership concepts and mentored and inspired their educational journeys. Now he is demonstrating his own leadership in Pan-Africanism and science and health in Sierra Leone, Africa and globally. He also talks to us about African football and fashion! His visits are always energized by his enthusiasm for his topics as well as his deep knowledge and his commitment to humanity. This visit did not disappoint. Facebook https://www.facebook.com/koinadugu.scientist Facebook Project 1808 https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=project%201808%2C%20inc.&filters=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 Koinadugu College https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=Koinadugu%20College University of Wisconsin-Madison Global Health Institute https://ghi.wisc.edu/2023/07/17/new-ghi-one-health-center-west-africa-in-sierra-leone-to-expand-one-health-collaboration-efforts-locally-and-globally/
City budget season ramps up
Dane County’s Advisory Committee on Data Centers will get a status report this week, and Madison’s budget season ramps up with a series of presentations to city finance leaders. Brenda Konkel and Fiona Hatch have the rundown, in this edition of “Forward Lookout.”
Forecast from Monday, 10-12-26
Forecast from Monday, 10-12-26 by WORT 89.9FM Madison
Finding Home on Highway 14, Episode 12: New Ulm, MN
Monday Buzz’s roving reporter, Nicole Gruter, joins us once again with another installment of “Finding Home on Highway 14.”
Democrat Yee Leng Xiong Seeks State Treasurer Seat
Democrat Yee Leng Xiong explains why he wants to be the next Wisconsin State Treasurer.
Republican Jay Schroeder Wants to Put Secretary of State in Charge of Elections
Republican Jay Schroeder joins us to talk about his candidacy for Wisconsin Secretary of State.
Beef imports: our new “mystery meat”
Remember back during your school days, when “mystery meat” was a regular item in the cafeteria? Trump’s new, tariff-free imported beef from South America is equally mysterious, according to Pete Hardin and Bert Zipperer. They’ll question the meat’s safety and tariff-free status, in this edition of “The Milkweed.”
Knowledge but No Perspective
This week on Mel & Floyd: Thanking “the People” for the infinite density of pledges; Buried symbolism in The Wizard of Oz; A bull semen explosion in Australia; SSM’s antiunion actions; Fat-shaming Nora [the polar bear]; Ongoing battle over the Kennedy Center; Reevaluating Watergate??; A Nobel Laureate at the UW; And other random topics; Notice something missing? For the complete Mel and Floyd Experience, buy the CD “The Very Best of James Brown” and play it on your Hi-Fi while listening to this podcast! Or listen live at 89.9 FM or wortfm.org/listen-live/ every Friday from 1 to 2 PM Central Time. Photo courtesy Helena Lopes on Unsplash
Flathead County Sheriff 10092026
Flathead County, Montana Deputy Sheriff Gary Huff joins the Friday 8 O’Clock Buzz to walk through some of the wildest real 911 calls his department fielded this summer. Sheriff Gary Huff was portrayed by former Madison East High School Band Director Mark Salzman. Photo by Carol Highsmith's America on Unsplash
Nate Gibson on Brewers 10092026
Brewers superfan and musician Nate Gibson on this year’s team, Bob Uecker, and the Dodgers series, plus his album “Fear the Beer.”
Jessie Opoien and midterms 10092026
Journal Sentinel reporter Jessie Opoien on polling, vulnerabilities, and under-the-radar storylines in Wisconsin’s midterms.
Ben Gruber puts people over party politics
Republican incumbent Todd Novak has represented southwest Wisconsin in the state Assembly since 2015. He faces two challengers this fall in the race for Assembly District 51: Nathan Tataje, an independent, and Democratic candidate Ben Gruber. Gruber is a union leader and a conservation warden with the state’s Department of Natural Resources. In an interview earlier this week with our News Producer Faye Parks, he said he decided to run for office because the broken shared revenue formula is putting communities like his hometown of Arena in crisis. Image courtesy: Ben Gruber.
Mayor Rhodes-Conway unveils 2027 operating budget proposal
An estimated 11 million-dollar shortfall in the city of Madison’s 2027 operating budget had finance leaders sounding the alarm earlier this year. But the executive proposal Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway unveiled this week manages to skirt major spending cuts next year, with help from one-time federal transportation grants. Image courtesy: Brian Standing / WORT News.
Transparency Talk: In Medias Res, Part 1
Want to obtain records about an ongoing police investigation or trial? Officials might say they can’t turn it over just yet. But are they right? This week on “Transparency Talk”, hosts Chali Pittman and Tom Kamenick examine the ins and outs of trying to obtain records on issues that have yet to be resolved. But before we turn it over to Tom and Chali, our standard reminder that this conversation is not intended to be specific legal advice but rather a discussion of general legal issues. If you have a particular legal issue, please consult an attorney.
WCO Maestro Sewell Transcendance Oct 2026
Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Maestro Andrew Sewell talks with Ava Borelli about Transcendence program
Megan Falley is in a Cosmic Chokehold
Megan Falley is in a Cosmic Chokehold by WORT 89.9FM Madison
Forecast from Wednesday 10-7-26
Forecast from Wednesday 10-7-26 by WORT 89.9FM Madison
Policing workgroup hits the ground running
The Madison Police Department’s policies and procedures are going under the microscope, in a new city council workgroup that was created after the police killing of Corey Ruiz this summer. They have just a few months to review the department’s use of deadly force, de-escalation, and body-worn camera policies, and report back with recommendations. Alder John Guequierre, chair of the workgroup, joined our News Producer Faye Parks to share how they’re tackling the hefty to-do list. Image courtesy: Brian Standing / WORT News.